Parks and Recreation, in case you have not yet had the pleasure, is not only a hilarious comedy, but also incredibly insightful when it comes to American government and politics.
Watching the episode "The Debate" on Netflix, (Season 4, Episode 20, 2012), it struck me how highly relevant this episode is to our current situation, i.e. the Republican-led government shutdown and the refusal to raise the debt limit ceiling and pass a clean CR.
During the debate for city council, Bobby Newport, heir to the Sweetums Factory, announces that if Leslie Knope is elected, his father will move the factory to Mexico. Being the town's largest employer, this would cost many people their jobs, and so this announcement could potentially destroy Leslie's chances.
This is Leslie's closing statement.
I'm very angry. I'm angry that Bobby Newport would hold this town hostage and threaten to leave if you don't give him what he wants. It's despicable. Corporations are not allowed to dictate what a city needs. That power belongs to the people. Bobby Newport and his daddy would like you to think it belongs to them. I love this town. And when you love something, you don't threaten it. You don't punish it. You fight for it. You take care of it. You put it first.
As your city councilor, I will make sure that no one takes advantage of Pawnee. If I seem too passionate, it's because I care. If I come on strong, it's because I feel strongly. And if I push too hard, it's because things aren't moving fast enough. This is my home. You are my family. And I promise you...
I'm not going anywhere.
Guess who ends up winning the election?
As a country, we have to do what the city of Pawnee, fictional though it may be, did to show what happens when they are held hostage by their political leaders.
Show up to the polls so they don't get their way.